Ski attachment



E. H. STAFF- SKI ATTACHMENT Jan. 13, 1953 2 sl-xEETs-sl-EET 1 Filed March 25, 1949 .fnmlrlllllillllllll MM w .T R MH. A. w MH EV. B

E. H. STAFF SKI ATTACHMENT Jan. 13, 1953 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed March 25, 1949 HH PM HH @NTV ' INVENTOR.

EDWARD H STAFF BY l W i? A 7' TO/Q'Y Patented `an. 13, 1953 OFFICE SzKI ATTACHMENT Edward H. stair, Detroit, Mich.

Application March 25, 1949, Serial No. 83,493

Thisinvention relates to ski attachments, and moreY particularly, t means capable of attachment to a pair of skis to assist in maintaining the skis in approximately parallel relation, and thus to avoid the ski entanglement which is a major source of diiiiculty for the person learning to ski. Since devices of this character have, so far as I am aware, been unknown up to this time they will be referred to herein as ski parallels, this being an abbreviated term which conveys a clear idea of their function.

It is well recognized that in learningto ski one of the diiiiculties encountered by the learner is maintaining the skis in approximately parallel relation so as to avoid foot entanglement. Failure to do this is the cause of many falls, not only on the part of the beginner, but also occasionally with experienced skiers when unexpected circumstances arise, such as rough terrain, foot fatigue or injury, and the like.

The main object of the present invention is to provide means attached to the skis for assisting in maintaining them in substantially parallel relation, especially when coasting.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple means which can be attached to skis of any type without interfering with Vthe normal use of the skis.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the description when it is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a pair of skis equipped with the usual binding, and also provided with ski parallels, embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of one of the parallels showing its relation to the ski to which it is attached;

Figure 3 is a section on line 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Figure 4 is a transverse section, looking rearwardly, through a ski and an attached parallel, showing the foot of the skier in dotted lines;

Figure 5 is a section on line 5 5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a section on line 6 6 of Fig. 5;

Figure 7 is a side elevation of a modification;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view looking in the direction of the arrows 8 8 of Fig. 7;

Figure 9 is a plan view of another modifica- Simply stated, the invention consists in providing every ski with a member extending longitudinally thereof and projecting outwardly and 6 claims. (ci. 28o-11.37)

upwardly from the inner edge of the ski adapted to engage a similar member on the adjacent ski so that the wearer, by bringing the two members together, may readily hold the skis in substantially parallel relation. These members or parallels` are preferably arranged along side the ski boot bindings and are of sufficient length. and height to tend to bias the skis to parallel relation when they come together or tend to become entangled. They are disposed in such manner as not to hamper the movements of the skier or his control ofthe skis, but to prevent engagement between the inner edges of the skis or crossing of ktheir toes or trailing ends. They are, .preferably, constructed of light metal, such as aluminum, so as to add but little to the weight of the skis, and yet to resist breakage to a satisfactory degree. My ski parallels may take a great variety of forms and may be secured to the skis or combined with them in various ways.

As shown in the drawings, noting especially Fig. 1, the reference characters 'I and 8 designate the left and right skis, respectively, of a p-air of skis equipped with parallels embodying the invention. For purposes of illustration, ski boots are shown in position on the skis and held there by bindings Aof known form. For example, the boot' 9 is shown as held by a toe strap I0, a heel plate II and a release latch I2. `Since the details are not important, it will be suicient to state that the binding holds the boot, and foot which it encases, in proper fixed relation to the ski during normal conditions. v l.

'Ihe juxtaposed inside parallel edges I3 and I4 of the skis 'I and 8 carry, respectively, parallels I5 and I6, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. The par'- allels I5 and I6 are similar in configuration, and are preferably duplicates so as to be symmetrical and capable of use with either a right or leftvski. Such an arrangement simplifies installation, avoids confusion in replacement and makes it unnecessary to provide two types of producing mechanism, be it extrusion means, die, mold or equivalent means.

Since the parallels are duplicates, a description of one will be sucient. The parallel I6, for example. is of concavo-convex form having a thickened bottom portion I'I with a fiat face I8 extending throughout the length of the parallel and engaging the inside face I4 of the ski. The portion I'I may be held securely to the ski by attaching means such as screws I 9. The parallel is made suciently concave to provide clearance for the boot and also give suicient lateral extension to hold the skis a comfortable distance apart when the two parallels engage, as indicated in Fig. 3.

The reiation of the parallel to the release cable 20 and its guiding means 2l will be apparent from Figs. 4, and 6 without detailed explanation.

The top ends of the parallel are swept back at 22 so that when the substantially at center portions 23 engage, as shown in Fig. l, the ends 22 are spaced appreciably, as indicated. This convex exterior then provides a marked tendency for the parallels to assume parallelism'when they come together in slight angular relation. This makes the scheme function not only to hold the skis parallel, when the center flat portions 23- of the parallels engage, but also to tend to bias the parts to parallelism when they are slightly:

out of parallel relation. Thusthe effect is to 4discourage, if not to entirely prevent, the two skis from interlocking and tripping the wearer.

The parallels are preferably made of extruded aluminum with smooth rounded edges and with suitable reinforcing ribs-such as 24, but other materials made by other processes will be found suitable.

It will be clear that while the parallels will be oi the greatest assistance to those learning to ski, they may be used to provide comfort for experienced skiers, especially during long runs where foot and ankle fatigue become pronounced.

In the modiiication shown in Figs. '7 and 8, the ski parallels 2G are formed integrally with the guiding means 28 for the release cable 30. The parallels are illustrated as at but they may be made with rounded ends as in the form shown in the preceding figures and may be made longer and higher if desired.

In the modication shown in Figs. 9` and lothe parallel 32 is formed integrally with one side of the toe hitch in which the toe of the ski boot is wedged. At its forward end parallel 32 is U- shaped as shown in Fig. 9 and is provided with a lateral extension 34 secured to the top of the ski by screws 36. The other end of'parallel 32 is secured to the ski by lateral extension 38 as shown in Fig. 9.

In the modication shownin'Fig; 1l thelpar'- allels 40 are provided with` rounded ends as shown in Fig. l. The portions 42 at theA forward end are so designed that when they are in engagement as shown the front ends of the skis engage each other whilethe portions are parallel to the skis. The position illustrated is desirable in making turns, as this isthe position normally experienced in this maneuver; The ski parallels in this position will tend to stopA the ski tips from crossing, a major cause of falls'and accidents. When the portions M are in engage'- ment the skis will not tend todiverge and cause a fall for the skier.

Many other modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. Thusethe parallels'rnight, if desired, be made integrally with the skisalthough I` believe the designs as illustrated are preferable for manufacture. If desired the parallels could 4 be provided with perforations to make it easier to remove snow that may lodge in them. While all the parallels illustrated are of one piece construction, it is obvious that they might be made of several close-tting or overlapping pieces if preferred.

While I prefer to make the parallels of metal, they may be made of other suitable materials, such as rubber, leather or plastic.

Having thus described the'inventiomwhat is claimed is:

l. The combination with a pair of skis having bindings thereon, of a pair of rigid upstanding members, one attached to the inside edge of each ski and extending substantially throughout the extent of the binding for preventing the skis from assuming substantially non-parallel relation.

2 The combination of a pair of skis having ski boot receiving portions, of rigid means secured to each of the skis and extending along the inner edge thereof adjacent and parallel to-said ski boot receiving portions and projecting outwardly and upwardly therefrom and adapted to engage a similarmeans secured to the'inner edge-of theY companion ski.

3. The combination of a pair of skis having` bindings thereon and upstanding members carried along' the inside -edges of said skis adjacent said bindings'or maintaining the skis in substantially parallel operative relation.

4. The combination of a pair of skis having ski bootreceiving portions and upstanding elongated members carried along the inside edges of said skis adjacent and parallel to said ski boot receiving portions for maintaining the skis in substantially parallel operative relation.

5. A ski'attachment comprising an elongated concavo-convex body, said body being substantially at substantially throughout its length, and a combined reinforcing and fastening means in the form of a thickened portion extending along one of the longer sides of said body, said thickened portion having a flat face for engaging the ski.

6. A ski attachment .adapted to be-attached in upstanding relation to the inside edge ofaski.

saidV attachment comprising an elongated con-y cavo-convex metal body having a substantially uniform height throughout its length and-having a thickened b-ottornvportion also extending substantially throughout its length, saidithickened' bottom portion having a fiat face' a'dapted'to'engage the inside edge'of a ski and also including means for attachingv said thickened portion to said ski edge.

EDWARD H. STAFF:

REFERENCES CITED The following references. are of.v record. in the iile of thisV patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number NameY Date 2,273,539 Schatzman Feb. 17, 1942 2,455,920 Ebbley, Jr. Dec. 14,1948 

